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By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent

The area in front of Braintree’s Town Hall is looking a little different these days, after four old benches were replaced with donated ones.

Jim Regan, an employee of the Braintree Electric Light Department and a member of Sustainable Braintree, donated one bench. Three more were donated thanks to a $4,000 contribution from Sustainable Braintree.

Located in the area where Sustainable Braintree holds its weekly Farmer’s Market, the benches take the place of several decrepit benches, and are intended to serve as a reminder of Sustainable Braintree’s mission: smart living through sustainability and environmental awareness, organizers said.

“We have a plaque on the benches that says they were donated by Sustainable Braintree, and we hope that’s a sign of our commitment to the community. But this is our intent, to continue to make an impact on the town in an environmentally responsible way,” said Sustainable Braintree’s president, Cheryl Edgar.

Funding for the Sustainable Braintree benches mostly came from the organization’s Green Gala in March, the organization’s major annual fundraising event.

Once the organization contacted Town Hall to do the project, Sustainable members learned that Eagle Scout Liam McQuire was looking for a project to do for his Eagle Scout badge.

“So we coordinated with him to help him facilitate his project ... It was a win/win for everyone,” Edgar said.

The benches are made from recyclable material and purchased by the town, so as to look consistent with other benches elsewhere in Braintree.

The benches were placed directly in front of the Old Thayer Library, in the town mall, with two concrete patio areas and benches situated on either side of both.

In a statement, Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan said, “Braintree is extremely grateful to Sustainable Braintree for their donation of these benches. I thank Sustainable Braintree’s President, Cheryl Edgar as well as her steering committee for partnering with the town to get these benches installed…Liam [also] worked tirelessly to see that these benches were placed. He has worked hard to earn his Eagle Scout Badge.”

According to Edgar, this is the first of many projects Sustainable Braintree is working towards in the town, though other projects are still in the discussion phase at this point.